Four militants, including a self-styled divisional commander of Lashkar-e-Toiba outfit, were shot dead in separate encounters in Kashmir Valley.

The self-styled divisional commander of LeT Mehboob Ahmed Afradi alias Jugnu was killed in a joint operation by army and police personnel in Baramulla district on Friday, a defence spokesman said.

Troops of 32 Rashtriya Rifles and the Special Task Force of the local police launched the operation at Dangiwats-Khaipora in the wee hours of Friday, following specific information about the presence of the militants.

The militant was asked to surrender but he opened fire. He was killed in the ensuing encounter at approximately 4.50 am, the spokesman said.

In another operation, police and army personnel killed three militants at Sona Pindi in Kupwara on Thursday night.